Overview

The whole complex massif of Granátové veže (from Kvetnicové sedlo to Velická kopa), Granátova lávka (grassy ledge separating Granátove veže from Granátove stieny) and Granátove stieny (lower stretch of faces in the area of Velické Granáty) consists of the ridge leading from Bradavica to SW, separating Velická dolina Valley from Slavkovská dolina Valley. It is an area full of towers, saddles, ribs and ledges, consists of two floors of towers. The "upper floor" is called Granátové veže and the "lower floor" consists of Granátove stieny.

It is a side ridge, which starts at Bradavica (2476 m) and goes to SW to Velická dolina Valley. This ridge forms a barrier in Velická dolina Valley, thus separating it from Slavkovská dolina Valley. First summit in this ridge is Rohatá veža (2420 m) and the last one is Velická kopa (2227 m), respectively Velické hrby. Below this ridge, there is Granátova lávka ledge, which separates the ridge of Granátove veže from lower situated ridge of Granátove stieny. This ledge starts in Opálové sedlo and ends in Dvojité sedlo.

Originally, the name Granátová stena was used only for a rocky face above Velické pleso tarn, so called Večný dážď. There were found gemstones - red garnets, so the whole area was called after them.

The best starting point for all tours in this area is Hotel Sliezský dom, on the shores of Velické pleso tarn.

Granátové veže

This ridge starts in Kvetnicové sedlo, between Bradavica and Rohatá veža. Descent from this saddle to Slavkovská dolina Valley is risky.

Rohatá veža - Rogata Turnia - Margitspitze - Margitcsúcs

Rohatá veža (2420 m) is the first summit of Granátové veže, separated from Bradavica by Kvetnicové sedlo and from Granátovy roh by Rohatá štrbina. It has 200-500 m high eastern face falling to Slavkovská dolina Valley.

The most distinctive tower (2318 m) in the ridge of Granátové veže, separated from Malá Granátová veža by Prostredná Granátová štrbina, and from Dvojitá veža by Dolná Granátová štrbina, and from Granátova stena by Granátová lávka.
First ascent: K.Englisch, J. Hunsdorfer jr. - 25.7.1901.

Dvojitá veža - Dwoista Turnia - Ottospitze - Ottocsúcs

Tower (2312 m)at the SE end of Granátové veže, separated from Veľká Granátová veža by Dolná Granátová štrbina and from Velická kopa by Sedlo pod Dvojitou vežou. It has two summits - northern (main summit) and southern.
First ascent: E. Muhle - 4.8.1897

Velická kopa - Kopa Wielicka - Flecht - Fonatos

The last peak (2227 m) in the ridge of Granátové veže, easy accessible from all sides. It is separated from Dvojitá veža by Sedlo pod Dvojitou and from Velické hrby by grassy Sedlo pod Velickou kopou.
First ascent: Z.Klemensiewicz, J. Maślanka - 6.4.1909

Granátové stieny

Opálová veža - Podufała Turnia - Isabellaturm - Izabellatorony

This is a border point (2250 m) between Granátové veže and Granátové stieny, separated from Rohatá veža by Štrbina pod Opálovou vežou and from Opálová stena by Opálové sedlo.
First ascent: A.Englisch, K.Englisch, J.Hunsdorfer jr.- 26.7.1900

Opálová stena (2285 m) - this is the first summit in the group of Granátové stieny, above the bottom of Velická dolina Valley - so called Kvetnica. It is separated from Opálová veža by Granátová lávka.

Granátová stena (2245 m) - this is the most extensive part of Granátové stieny, separated from Granátové veže by Granátová lávka. It has almost 400 m high SW face.
First ascent: A.Kortvélyessy. K. Rosszay, J. Tóth - 7.8.1948

Routes in the south-western face: here
Routes in the western face: here
Routes in the north-western face: here

Maps

Map by Július Andráši

Getting there

The best starting point for exploring this area is Horský Hotel Sliezský dom (1670 m) on the shores of Velické pleso tarn. This hotel is easy accessible from Tatranská Polianka (1005 m) by green marked trail (2 hours) or from Hrebienok (1285 m) via Tatranská magistrála - red marked trail (2 hours). Hrebienok is easy accessible by a ground cable car from Starý Smokovec (1010 m).

The whole area is a protected landscape and a part of High Tatras National Park, so it is forbidden for non-climbers. Even climbers cannot use routes with difficulty less than III grade of UIAA, except from access paths.